NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee lawmakers have reacted after conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was shot at a college in Utah.

News 2's sister station KTVX reported that the university had issued an alert that the suspect is in custody and police are investigating, though no other details were available. As of publication, Kirk's condition is not known. Kirk is a co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit.

"We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot," a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump reads. "A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!"

"Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father," Vice President JD Vance posted to X.

"Join us in praying for Charlie Kirk, his family, and all others affected by today’s events," Tennessee's House Republicans said in a statement to X.

News 2 has reached out to Tennessee House Democrats for comment.

"Today another act of senseless violence occurred in Utah. Violence has no place in a civil society and we condemn this act of terrorism in the strongest possible terms," Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party said in a statement to News 2.

"Pray for Charlie Kirk. May God bless and protect him," Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) said in an X post.

In a separate post, Fleischmann added that "[a]ny form of political violence against anyone in our country is pure evil and must be loudly condemned by every single American."

"Prayers for @charliekirk11," Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) said in one X post. In a separate post to X, he added: "The national media needs to quit making excuses and covering for the violent radical left."

"Please join me in praying for @charliekirk11 and his family," (Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) said.

Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) posted what appears to be both a video of the shooting as well as an up-close image of Kirk immediately after the shooting. As such, WKRN has elected not to link his statement. It reads, in full: "Charlie Kirk has been shot."

"Our nation has been on a dangerous path for some time. Division, pain, hatred, and destructive actions seem to know no limits. In the days ahead, blame will be cast, and anger from every side will boil over," Faison added in a follow-up X post. "But before the finger-pointing, before the outrage and rage-baiting, can we pause and remember a deeper truth? Every life is sacred. Every person carries immeasurable worth, because we are created in the very image of Almighty God. He alone is our Creator, and He alone can save us from ourselves."

"Prayers up. That's horrible," House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) said in a post to X, reposting a report of the shooting.

"Pray right now for Charlie Kirk," Rep. John Rose (R-TN) said in a post to X.

"Praying for @charliekirk11. A husband and father to young children. Heartbreaking," Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) said in a post to X.

"Please join me in wrapping Charlie Kirk and his family in prayers. This is horrific," Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said in a post to X.

"Charlie Kirk has been a fearless voice for the conservative cause, but first and foremost he’s a husband and dad. Today’s attack was pure evil. Please join me in praying for him, his wife, and his family," Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) said in a post to X.

"EVERYONE should be praying for Charlie Kirk right now," Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin) said in a post to X.

"Join me in praying for the Kirk family, that the Lord will grant them peace and comfort during this time of tragedy," Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City) said in a post to X.

Sarah Shoop Neumann, a vocal advocate for gun control laws in the wake of the the Covenant School shooting, also posted her reaction to social media.

"Violence is never the answer. Our country is going to crumble from the inability to engage in civil discord. What are we teaching our children when adults are physically attacking those with differing beliefs?" Neumann posted in a statement to X with a broken heart emoji.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/charlie-kirk-shot-reactions/